Missions plundered by pirates, skirmishes with the Spanish, and battles with the British are all part of the rich history of St. Simons Island. Add a little education to your exploration of the island and learn about these things by taking a family trip to Fort Frederica National Monument. Stop in the Visitors’ Center to learn more about the history of the former town and fort site. You’ll see signs and markers around the site that send you on a hunt to answer clues and point out special features. If you have an interest in archaeology, check out what’s been discovered in the digs. Take a Frederica Town Tour, where you’ll join a park ranger for a guided walking tour down Broad Street to learn about the history of Fort Frederica National Monument. The walk is about a ¼ mile and lasts about 30 minutes. Town tours are offered daily at 11:00 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Ranger Choice Programs, which are 15-30 minutes long and highlight areas of interest that range from military history to colonial American history and African-American history may also be available. Fort Frederica offers Junior Ranger programs and a special Bark Ranger badge that can be earned by well-behaved dogs! Check in at the Visitors Center is advised, as tours are dependent on staff availability. Admission is free. For more information, visit npr.gov/fofr.
Of course, every boy should be able to boast that he has climbed our most iconic landmark, the St. Simons Lighthouse. Although the original structure for the St. Simons light built by James Gould in 1807 was destroyed in the Civil War, the current 104-foot-tall white tower has stood overlooking the St. Simons Sound since 1872. It houses a third-order Fresnel lens that projects a light visible as far as 23 miles out to sea using a single 1,000-watt bulb. For a birds-eye view of the island, ascend the 129 stairs up to the observation deck to get a birds-eye view. Learn more about the history of this special island icon in the museum that is housed in the brick lightkeeper’s cottage. While you’re there, be sure to purchase admission to the World War II Home Front Museum, another island treasure that is also operated by the Coastal Georgia Historic Society which should be your next stop.
Annaliese Kondo
Housed in the historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach, the World War II Home Front Museum details the significant role that the Golden Isles played in the war effort. While our soldiers were fighting overseas, important shipbuilding, training programs, and other impactful support efforts were undertaken right here in our backyard. Interactive exhibits in the museum allow you to listen to stories of people who lived in the Golden Isles during WWII to hear what they were doing and what life was like then. See if your boys have what it takes to assist the “fly boys” by spotting enemy planes. They can also test their skills at building a Liberty Ship, tying nautical knots, or practicing code. The St. Simons Island Home Front Museum is one of 11 sites in Georgia (and one of four sites on the Georgia Coast route) that make up the World War II Heritage Trail. You can pick up a WWII Heritage Trail Passport at the museum or download a printable version online to track and debrief your visits along the route and receive “V for Victory!” final confirmation stamp. Learn more about the other trail stops and passport at georgiawwiitrail.org.
